the name is how our middle daughter used to introduce me to some of her friends (sad but true!)

Sunday, July 08, 2012

yet more iona reflections

I’ve been home now for some 10 days or so and am beginning to get back into my
“old” routine. I love being back amongst my family and old friends, but
obviously miss seeing the daily beauty of the island, the changing light, my
new “Iona friends” and the general rhythm of the days.

The internet is wonderful in that I’m able to keep up with things that
are happening on Iona on a daily basis through the blogs and facebook comments
from resident staff and current volunteer members of the Iona Community.

But, inevitably, this also has its downside.

The other day, for instance, after what was apparently a gloriously
sunny day on the island, a sudden storm developed, followed by a magnificent
evening sky… here is sacristan Dave’s description: “Watched
the rain come in like a black wall over Mull today. It was brilliant sunshine
and hot where I was standing then suddenly cold torrential rain. There was a
remarkable rainbow over the Abbey, but I didn't have my camera so you'll just
have to imagine it...”

Fortunately, fellow-volunteer Lee Ann
DID record the evening sky (here’s her lovely photograph).

I felt very
envious and suddenly wanted to be there again to experience/capture the moment.

Photo: sunset
over distant islands.

PS: I’ve
previously mentioned that the BBC was on the island to record a programme with
Stephen Oliver and John Bell. This went out this morning on Radio4 (40mins long) and featured,
amongst other things, the wonderful Gail Vincent from the Iona Community. But I
want to stress that I also played an absolutely crucial part(!) in the programme: a) “Morning Has Broken” was
chosen by me(!) and was recorded in the morning worship that I led (fortunately,
you can’t hear me singing along – I was SO scared by the close proximity of the
microphone that I just mouthed the words!) and b) I was one of the 20 plus
guests and volunteers who were asked to provide the “backing vocals” in the
extract from the Morning Worship book that John Bell read (again, fortunately,
you can’t hear me!).

PPS: The sad
thing is that they also recorded a brilliant evening service led by resident
staff member and lovely friend, Becki – but failed to include any of it
(perhaps they’re saving it for a “peace-and-justice-special"?!).

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About Me

Married to Moira with three daughters (Ruth, Hannah and Alice) and six grandchildren (Ursula, Jemima, Rosa, Dan, Iris and Mikey). Former architect and also worked with young people in education in recent years... now just a retired slacker.